Man sentenced to 10 years for role in drug ring led by El Paso Church deacon

A man, who was sentenced to 10 years behind bars for his role in a drug-trafficking ring involving a church deacon in El Paso, expressed his sorrow for his behavior and that he didn’t expect any leniency.

Oscar Rincon, one of 19 indicted in the bust, was convicted of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and one count conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute. He also was issued three years of supervised release for each count after he finishes serving his term.

Officials said the drug organization was smuggling tons of marijuana from El Paso and Arizona with the intent to distribute it nationwide.

Rincon spoke before U.S. District Judge Frank Montalvo with his attorney, Robert Harris, and expressed his wishes to move on with his life, The El Paso Times reported.

“I understand I have made several mistakes with my actions and I am not expecting any breaks,” the man told the judge. “I just want to prove that I am a professional and get back to school and my career.”

His attorney contended that Rincon did not personally benefit from the ring because he used the money to help out his family in Juárez, Mexico. He also emphasized that Rincon was cooperating with the investigation.

“I feel sick that he got involved in what he did,” the lawyer added. “All the money he got he gave to his family in Juárez. He ended up with nothing.”

The plot, which was running since 2006, was referred to as the Adan Reyes Drug Trafficking Organization by the feds, named after the purported leader of the ring, Adan Reyes-Rodriguez.

According to court records, it included “shipping hundreds of pounds of marijuana per week and were increasing the amounts each week.”

The weed was concealed inside in horse trailers, trailers, and 18-wheelers and taken from El Paso and Arizona.

In Dumas and Cactus, the drug was “prepared for large-scale distribution” to other U.S. cities including Amarillo, Houston, Chicago, Memphis, and Kansas City.

FBI agents in El Paso recovered over $1.7 million during the probe that included seven search warrants for homes, businesses, and storage units. Warrants also were issued in Pheonix for two buildings and one each in Vado, Amarillo, and Las Cruces.

Luis Ulysses Carrasco, another key member of the drug ring, was the deacon at the Lower Valley church.

Carrasco pleaded guilty in federal court back on September 16th to one count of conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute. His sentencing is scheduled for December 7th.

Reyes-Rodriguez, the alleged leader of the group — also known as “Papa” and “Señor,” pleaded guilty in July to four counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, one count of conspiring to launder monetary instruments and two counts of laundering of monetary instruments.